Drag Force verse force of gravity

In summary, Drag force is a type of force that acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion through a fluid, while the force of gravity is a fundamental force that exists between any two objects with mass. Drag force and the force of gravity are two separate and distinct forces, with drag force depending on an object's speed and the properties of the fluid it is moving through, and the force of gravity depending on the masses and distance between two objects. Drag force becomes significant in situations where an object is moving at high speeds or has a large surface area, but its effects can be reduced by making an object more aerodynamic or reducing its speed.
  • #1
gtaylor
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A reasonably large object moving though air experiences a drag force proportional to the square of its speed. If an object is falling vertically downward at half its terminal speed, how does the drag force acting on it compare to the force of gravity? express your answer as a multiple of Fg
 
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What do you think the answer is? We are here to help you do your homework, not do it for you. You need to show some work.
 
  • #3


The drag force acting on an object is directly proportional to the square of its speed, while the force of gravity is directly proportional to its mass. Therefore, as the object falls at half its terminal speed, the drag force acting on it will be one-fourth (0.5^2) of the force of gravity. This means that the drag force is 25% (0.25) of the force of gravity. In other words, the drag force is one-fourth of the gravitational force, or 0.25Fg. This shows that as the object falls at a slower speed, the drag force acting on it decreases, while the force of gravity remains constant.
 

1. What is Drag Force?

Drag force is a type of force that acts in the opposite direction of an object's motion through a fluid, such as air or water. It is caused by the resistance of the fluid to the object's movement.

2. What is the force of gravity?

The force of gravity is a fundamental force that exists between any two objects with mass. It is the force that pulls objects towards each other and is responsible for keeping planets in orbit around a star.

3. How does Drag Force compare to the force of gravity?

Drag force and the force of gravity are two separate and distinct forces. Drag force depends on an object's speed and the properties of the fluid it is moving through, while the force of gravity depends on the masses of the two objects and the distance between them.

4. In what situations does Drag Force become significant compared to the force of gravity?

Drag force becomes significant when an object is moving at high speeds through a fluid, such as when a plane is flying or a car is driving. It can also become significant when an object has a large surface area and is moving through a fluid, such as a parachute or a kite.

5. How can the effects of Drag Force be reduced?

The effects of Drag Force can be reduced by making an object more aerodynamic, meaning it is designed to minimize resistance from the fluid it is moving through. This can be achieved by using streamlined shapes and smooth surfaces. Additionally, reducing an object's speed can also decrease the impact of Drag Force.

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